Product News

Winery & Vineyard Product News

October 2013

by Andrew Adams

G.W. Kent offering Syntek closuresSynthetic closures from French firm Syntek are now available through G.W. Kent. Syntek is the second-largest synthetic closure manufacturer in the world, and G.W. Kent is offering the firm’s I-Tek closure. According to product information from G.W. Kent, the closure offers a consistent oxygen-transfer rate, and its outer coatings are made of a food-safe mixture of paraffin and silicone for good sealing and extraction. G.W. Kent is carrying 38x22 mm closures in bags containing 1,000 closures. Details: gwkent.com.

Cool-climate wine barrels by T.W. Boswell
Cooperages 1912 announced that it is expanding the T.W. Boswell barrel line to include three new barrels as part of its Cool Climate Series. “Cool-climate wines tend to be very fruit focused, with higher acidity and delicate overall tasting notes,” Jason Stout, the company’s international sales director, said in a news release. “Our team researched and experimented to carefully develop a line of barrels that responds perfectly to this style.” The low-impact barrels featured in the series are made with 36-month aged, extra fine grain oak as part of T.W. Boswell’s “special reserve” premium wood selection. The Cool Climate Series is available for the 2013 harvest. Details: twboswell.com.

‘Over the Top’ tannins
Scott Laboratories announced its new Over the Top (or OTT) line of tannins to “provide a final stylistic touch to wines.” The new Tannin Bold can add wood, caramel and vanilla notes and a touch of sweetness, while Tannin Finesse adds a perception of sweetness while reducing the perception of alcohol or “biting acidity” in white wines. Both are available in 500-gram packages. Details: scottlab.com.

Wingman 2.0 sales support program
Groove, a digital and social marketing agency, released Wingman 2.0, a tablet- and smartphone-enabled digital “sales book” for the wine, spirits and beverage industries. Wingman 2.0 provides sales reps with up-to-date brand information, plus improved order-taking and order-transmission capabilities. “The days of walking into an account armed with glossy sell sheets and a pencil are winding down,” Groove managing director Sean Dunn said in a statement released by the company. Details: sfgroove.com.

FFA licensed work gloves by Ranchmate
Preformed Line Products released Ranchmate brand work gloves bearing the logo of the Future Farmers of America, FFA, to support the national youth agricultural education organization. The full-grain, cowhide gloves are available in four styles and feature the FFA logo and motto: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” Details: ranchmate.com.

New ticket platform by CellarPass
CellarPass announced the launch of its new ticketing platform that enables wineries and event organizers to create, manage, promote and sell tickets for their events. Wineries can offer tickets for purchase or via a reservation. The free system employs an embedded, secure and PCI-compliant credit card processor for selling tickets. Details: cellarpass.com.

Bulk depalletizer by A-B-C
A-B-C Packaging says its new 108HL high-level bulk depalletizer “transfers containers from the pallet stack and sweeps them gently onto a high-level discharge conveyor at speeds of up to four layers per minute.” The unit is designed to provide container handling and quiet operation at discharge levels of up to 144 feet. To ensure “positive container handling,” the 108HL offers four containment devices, tier sheet stabilizer and a precision chain and sprocket sweep mechanism to maintain stability even with lightweight containers. Details: abcpackaging.com.

Orion adds point-of-sale features
Orion Wine Software updated its integrated point-of-sale system to include a new function designed to help wineries provide table service and enable their staff to accept gratuities. “By adding our new table-service feature, we offer a fresh avenue for wineries to connect with customers,” said Jay Hall, Orion’s general manager. Details: orionwinesoftware.com.

Real-time irrigation data
MapShots Inc. and AgSense announced a joint effort to offer real-time irrigation data for growers. The new relationship pairs MapShots’ AgStudio suite of agronomy software with AgSense’s WagNet cloud-based wireless network. The system “provides growers with real-time access to irrigation status and machine health, as well as the ability to collect watering records for agronomic analysis,” said Ted Macy, vice president of operations at MapShots.

New mannoprotein products by Scott Labs
Scott Laboratories introduced UltiMA Fresh and UltiMA Soft for the 2013 vintage. The two products are mannoprotein/gum arabic blends developed through a three-year research and development program at the Institut de Oenologique de Champagne. The company reports that UltiMA Fresh helps ensure stability and improve perceived volume while reducing perceptions of bitterness and acidity. UltiMA Soft can soften, enhance body and lower astringency in white wines. In red wines, UltiMA Soft maintains fruity aromas while helping to round out the mid-palate. Bench trials are recommended prior to use. Details: scottlaboratories.com.

Enzymes, filter bags by Eaton
Filtration equipment manufacturer Eaton unveiled the latest generation of its enzymes including Panzym YieldMASH as well as special bentonite-activated charcoal for ultrafiltration and Cleargraf filter bags at the recent Drinktec trade show in Munich, Germany. Details: eaton.com .